OT goldfish question

[Tschupe]

Can they get ich? And does this look like it?

 

[Deinonych]

Yes, freshwater fish can get ich - the pathogen is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (vs. Cryptocaryon irritans in marine fish). I'm not well-versed in freshwater fish diseases, but ich may be what you are seeing here.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, freshwater fish can get ich - the pathogen is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (vs. Cryptocaryon irritans in marine fish). I'm not well-versed in freshwater fish diseases, but ich may be what you are seeing here.

All fish that go in my pond (Koi) are treated and quarantined. Chris is correct about Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Unlike Cryptocaryon Irritans, White spot disease (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) is highly susceptible to raised temperature. From the University of Florida:

Treatment of Fresh Water "Ich" (White Spot Disease)

Control of "Ich" outbreaks can be difficult because of the parasites' unusual life cycle and the effect of water temperature on its life cycle. Of the life stages, only the free-swimming tomites are susceptible to chemical treatment. This means that application of a single treatment will kill tomites that have emerged from cysts and have not yet burrowed into the skin of host fish. This single treatment will not affect organisms that emerge after the chemical has broken down or been flushed from the system. Repeated treatments, however, will continually kill the juvenile tomites, preventing continuation of the infection. The epizootic will be controlled as more adult parasites drop off the sick fish, encyst, and produce young that cannot survive because of the repeated application of chemicals. This process will be greatly accelerated if organic debris can be removed from the tank or vat following treatment. This will remove many cysts from the environment, decreasing the number of emergent tomites.

Water temperature has a tremendous influence on how fast the life cycle for "Ich" (Figure 1) is completed. At warm temperatures (75-79°F), the life cycle is completed in about 48 hours, which means that chemical treatments should be applied every other day. At cooler temperatures the life cycle is prolonged, and treatments should be spaced further apart. For example, at a water temperature of 60°F, treatments should be spaced 4 or 5 days apart. In warm water, a minimum of three treatments applied 2 to 3 days apart is required. In cooler water, a minimum of five treatments should be applied 3 to 5 days apart. Treatments should never be discontinued until all mortality from "Ich" has stopped. Fish should be closely watched during recovery; the weakened fish may be susceptible to a secondary bacterial infection. The choice of chemical used to treat "Ich" will be based upon water quality conditions, species of fish to be treated, and the type of system fish are housed in. In general, copper sulfate, formalin, and potassium permanganate are all effective against "Ich" when applied at the correct concentration in a repetitive manner as described above.

 

[Tschupe]

Thanks guys.

 

[maxxII]

That looks like freshwater velvet to me.

http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/freshwater-conditions/velvet-disease.aspx

Google image search freshwater velvet....